Dam levels across the Western Cape stand at an average of 26.5% this week.
This means that the province has an effective 16% of useable surface water left.
In 2016, dam levels over the same period stood at 41.3%.
Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC Anton Bredell said areas in the province currently most affected by the drought include the central Karoo towns of Beaufort-West, Prince Albert, Kannaland and Laingsburg and further afield, the City of Cape Town as well as the Matzikama region on the West Coast.
“We remain very concerned about this ongoing drought that is continuing to afflict the Western Cape and we are doing what we can within our powers to manage the situation as we have been doing for the past number of years,” Bredell said.
Over the past month water usage has risen in some of the smaller regions and towns in the province, he added.
“In a region like the Central Karoo, despite requests to keep water use down, we saw water use triple, placing towns like Prince Albert under huge pressure.
"However in Beaufort-West and Cape Town, and largely across the province, indications are that the situation regarding water usage remained relatively stable and we want to thank the public and especially visitors for their help in this regard,” Bredell said.
Meanwhile, drought alleviation measures continue across the province.
“The disaster management centre continuously revises the contingency plans and manages the situation along with other stakeholders both in government and the private sector.
“These plans are aimed at ensuring no community will run out of water. Contingencies for key institutions like hospitals are also being implemented and revised where needed,” Bredell said.
Bredell appealed to the public to continue to save water in the coming months.
“We also caution the public to be water and fire safe over the coming period. There remains a great risk of runaway wildfires under the current conditions and we ask for everyone’s help to prevent fires.
"Please use the number 112 to report any fire or other emergency that may come up,” Bredell said.
Theewaterskloof is currently at 15.7% (2016: 36%); Voëlvlei Dam at 19.5% (2016: 48%) and Clanwilliam Dam 19.9% (2016: 56.9%). Brandvlei Dam is at 19.8% (2016: 35.7%).